James A. Michener's Writer's Handbook
by James A. Michener
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Random House (New York): August 1992. Paperback (8.5 x 11): August 182 pages. ISBN-10: 0-679-74126-7 ISBN-13: 978-0679741268 Suggested retail price: $15.00 (US) Tag: Writing Tactical strength: [6/10] |
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Michener describes his creative process from jotting down the initial idea through proofing the galleys. He emphasizes the importance of rewriting and taking (or ignoring) the advice of editors and lawyers while working on the revisions.
I wouldn't call this a handbook. It's really Michener's self-evaluation of his manuscript production process. It offers writers a look at how much work even a seasoned professional puts into his books. Each of the many examples shows hundreds of corrections, cross outs, and pasted-in (literally) corrections. (Michener admits that he still uses a manual typewriter and types with only two fingers.) Each example galley page has twenty or more corrections from editors, copy editors, and Michener himself. In the final form, little of the original draft remains, but the end result is the best that he could produce. Michener's point: writing is always hard work.
In an appendix where he answers frequently asked questions, Michener explains that hard work and determination with an attitude of "I can be published" are essential to success as a writer. He answers all the questions about agents and publishers with the standard answers, and he recommends that beginning writers shouldn't quit their day jobs.
As an editor, I bought this book so I could show some of my company's authors how much work a "professional" puts into a manuscript. If I returned a manuscript to an author with as many corrections and comments as on Michener's examples, many of my authors would have feelings of persecution and come close to tears. This book provides a valuable example to authors and editors that everyone should strive for the best a manuscript can be, without any hard feelings about the amount of red ink on the pages.
